n. [ F. mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada, or It. mascherata. See Mask. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions. [ 1913 Webster ]

In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st Mask, 4. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show; disguise. [ 1913 Webster ]

That masquerade of misrepresentation which invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A Spanish diversion on horseback. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Masqueraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Masquerading. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To assemble in masks; to take part in a masquerade. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To frolic or disport in disquise; to make a pretentious show of being what one is not. [ 1913 Webster ]

A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into the woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's skin. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To conceal with masks; to disguise. “To masquerade vice.” Killingbeck. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who masquerades; a person wearing a mask; one disguised. [ 1913 Webster ]